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RENEWABLE ENERGY OPTIONS FOR CANADA

FOSSIL FUEL
Climate Change, Pollution and Dwindling Supplies

Fossil fuels, particularly coal and oil, have two fundamentally dangerous qualities. First of all, emissions from fossil fuels contribute to climate change, acid rain and other pollution problems. The second problem with fossil fuels is that they will eventually run out. They are a non renewable resource and our energy dependent society needs dependable, long-term energy sources.

NUCLEAR POWER
Expensive, Radioactive and Non-Disposable

Nuclear power has several inherent problems. Nuclear power is very costly. Canada's nuclear industry absorbs a phenomenal amount of government subsidies. A recent study by energy economist David Argue estimates cumulative government subsidies to the nuclear industry to be $13 billion (in 1995 dollars).[1]

Another major downside of nuclear power is that in the last fifty years, no one has been able to devise a truly safe way to dispose of radioactive waste. Nuclear waste remains deadly for thousands or millions of years and the nuclear industry can not guarantee a disposal site to last as long as nuclear waste. David Lowry, a British environmental consultant, describes early nuclear power as being similar to, "designing a sophisticated, new jet plane, and sending it on its inaugural flight with great fanfare -- but not bothering to install landing gear." [2] Unfortunately, that landing gear remains uninstalled. As well, there are the dangers of reactor meltdowns, chronic safety malfunctions, routine radioactive emissions, nuclear weapons proliferation and the threat of terrorism.

The nuclear power industry promotes itself as being 'sustainable' because it does not produce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the Royal Society of Canada's Canadian Options for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction (COGGER) panel found that "improved energy efficiency is the key to stabilising energy-related CO2 emissions over the next two decades." [3] Nuclear power is not once mentioned as a viable alternative energy source to fossil fuels. Moreover, a recent study found that every dollar invested in renewable energy displaces seven times as much CO2 emissions as the same dollar invested in nuclear power.[4]

RENEWABLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Clean, Affordable, Sustainable

Combining energy efficiency with renewable energy sources will enable us to generate energy in a responsible, sustainable fashion. Renewable energy sources, such as the sun, wind, oceans, earth, plants, rivers, streams, have two primary advantages over conventional sources; they do not contribute to climate change, pollution or nuclear waste build up, and they will never run out. As well, new technology is making renewables cost competitive with conventional energy sources. When combined with a comprehensive energy efficiency strategy, the increased use of renewable energy can protect the environment, and enhance our economy and lifestyles.

Renewables with the best potential for Canada are wind, solar, tidal, small hydro and biomass. Combined with energy efficiency, they would eliminate the need for nuclear power and greatly reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Canadians are energy gluttons. We are the second highest per capital consumers of energy in the world, doubling Japan and most of Europe. We are also the world's second highest per capita consumers of electricity, at more than eight times the world average.[5] The potential for efficiency measures in Canada is enormous.

The cheapest and cleanest way to reduce the environmental impact of our energy demands is simply to consume less energy. This can be achieved through both reducing usage and taking measures to increase the efficiency of the energy we do use.

Energy efficiency measures also have the benefit of saving money for individual energy consumers as well as reducing harm to the environment. Although the cost of setting up an energy efficient home may seem expensive (ie. new windows, light bulbs, etc.) the long-term savings more than make up for the initial cost.

Additionally, the use of cogeneration (a system whereby byproduct waste heat from a generator is harnessed and used for other mechanical or electrical purposes) significantly improves energy efficiency. An average power plant might convert 30% of the energy in the fuel to useful electricity while a plant using cogeneration could trap between 65 and 80% of the energy in fuel.

WIND POWER

Wind turbines convert the mechanical energy of wind into electrical energy for residential, commercial and industrial use. Currently, Canada has only 23 MW of wind generating capacity installed. However, the potential for wind power in Canada is enormous. A 1992 Energy, Mines and Resources study identified a potential of 28,000 MW in Canada.[6] The Worldwatch Institute states that Canada is one of several countries that could theoretically supply all their electricity needs with wind. Wind expert Paul Gipe cites a 1993 study which claims that Canada could produce 9200 terawatt-hours per year (TWh/yr).[7] That is 19 times more than current Canadian electrical consumption.[8]

One of the major critiques of wind energy by utilities and nuclear/fossil-fuel supporters is its intermittency. Although the wind is constantly circling the globe, the speed at which it does so can vary greatly. However, this is not as disruptive as it seems. Wind patterns can be quite reliably predicted and the Worldwatch Institute believes that, "large amounts of wind power can be integrated into power systems without in anyway threatening reliability." [9]

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) states that supply costs for wind power are between 5.3 to 10 cents/kilowatt-hour (kWh) which makes wind power, "competitive with residential electricity and oil, and commercial electricity." [10] In fact, TransAlta Utility is purchasing power from the Pincher Creek wind farm in Alberta, for only 5.33 ¢/kWh. [11]

SOLAR POWER

Solar power has much heating and electrical potential in Canada. The most cost effective
usage is passive solar thermal, which uses the sun's heat to produce energy. Although Canada is lagging behind in electricity-producing solar thermal technology, progress is being made with passive solar thermal heating systems. Canada currently has 12,000 residential solar water heaters installed and CANMET, the technology branch of Natural Resources Canada, projects that 90,000 solar hot water systems will be installed in Ontario alone, over the next twenty years.[12]

Photovoltaics (PV), converting solar radiation directly into electricity, is another promising energy source that has not yet been put to extensive use in Canada. To date, we have more than 20,000 PV systems with a total installed capacity of between 1.5 MW and 3 MW.[13]

According to NRCan, recent technological advancements will significantly reduce the cost of PV electrical energy and make photovoltaics cost competitive with all forms of electricity generation.[14] GEOTHERMAL POWER

Although there are no geothermal power plants of any consequence in Canada, there is a healthy Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) industry. GSHPs use refrigerant technology to heat and cool homes. These pumps use the temperature of the ground or ground water and do not need to be located near any geothermal reservoir. They save 65% or more of annual electricity heating and cooling costs, and release no emissions.[15]

Canada currently has more than 35,000 GSHPs installed, amounting to 450 MW of avoided electricity generating capacity. However, heating systems that require no electricity, like solar heating, are preferable to GSHPs.

SMALL HYDRO

Small-scale hydro has three size categories; microhydro (system capacities up to 100 kW), mini-hydro, (between 100 kW and 1000 kW), and small-hydro, (from 1 MW to 15 MW).[16] Small-scale hydropower production can generate high quality electricity and poses less of a threat to ecosystems than large power projects.

Currently, Canada has more than 1600 MW of installed capacity, most of which is produced by non-utility generators. This represents two percent of Canada's total electricity generating capacity. The Canadian small-scale hydro industry comprises over 70 firms with over 1,500 employees and sales of up to $100 million annually.[17]

BIOMASS

Biomass, or plant matter, currently supplies seven percent of all Canadian energy use, the majority of which is used by the pulp and paper industry. Biomass can be directly burned or converted into liquid fuels like ethanol. There are currently more than 1000 MW of biomass based cogeneration facilities in Canada.[18] A 1991 study rates biomass as cost competitive with conventional energy's cheapest source, coal. In fact, biomass is cheaper than Ontario coal and competitive with Alberta coal.[19]

In 1990, biomass equalled energy produced by nuclear power in Canada and was about half of that produced from coal. Biomass represented 12% of energy in the Atlantic provinces and 23% in B.C.[20] NRCan estimates that biomass supplies 17% of industrial energy demand in Canada and saves users $500 million in electricity costs annually. [21]

According to a recent federal government report, PEI's biomass heating systems are economically viable, particularly when operated on a relatively large scale. Spinoff benefits from keeping money within the local economy means that, "90 cents of every dollar spent on heating oil [imported] are lost to the provincial economy whereas over 80 cents of every dollar spent on biomass fuels are retained and added to the gross domestic product." [22]

TIDAL POWER

Tidal power is generated from electrical turbines which are turned by the ebb and flow of the tides. Canada built North America's first tidal plant in 1984, on the Annapolis River which leads to Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy. The Bay has an estimated 6,000 MW of potential installed capacity.[23] Three other sites in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have been identified as potential tidal power plant sites.

Based on an economic analysis of tidal energy, NRCan concludes that at the low end of potential cost, tidal energy could compete in residential and commercial markets.[24]

NUCLEAR PHASEOUT

Nuclear power is experiencing a worldwide decline in popularity. Accidents, such as Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, combined with the problems of nuclear waste disposal have made people wary of building more nuclear power plants. As well, Canada's nuclear plants are quickly reaching the end of their operating lifespans and entering the long and costly decommissioning phase. Now is the perfect opportunity to implement energy efficiency and renewable resources along with the inevitable phase out of Canada's failed nuclear experiment.

Canada must implement a comprehensive and diverse energy strategy, using various renewable resources and energy efficiency measures. Smaller, non-utility generators should be allowed to compete for our energy dollars. With proper planning, our energy needs can be met while our environment and economy are sustained.

What You Can Do

---

• let your municipal, provincial and federal politicians know that you support higher standards for energy efficiency and renewables;
• let your utilities and local industries know that you support renewable energy options over fossil fuels or nuclear power;
• take the neccessary steps to turn your home into an energy efficient building by turning off lights and appliances, converting to efficient lightbulbs, windows, appliances, etc.;
• install small renewable energy products like ground source heat pumps, solar water heaters, small wind turbines, etc.;
• join a local environmental or activist group and make your voice heard.

ENDNOTES

[1]
David Argue, Nuclear Sunset: The Economic Costs of the Canadian Nuclear Industry (Ottawa: Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout, 1996.), p. 4.

[2]
David Lowry, "Nuclear Waste: The Millennial Problem" Ecodecision (Montreal: Environment and Policy Society, March, 1992)

[3]
The Royal Society of Canada, Final Report of the Cogger Panel (Ottawa: the Royal Society of Canada, 1993) p. i

[4]
Bill Keepin and Gregory Kats, "Greenhouse Warming: comparative analysis of nuclear and energy efficiency abatement strategies", Energy Policy, vol. 16, no.6, December 1988

[5]
Royal Society of Canada, p. B-17.

[6]
Cited by Jeff Passmore, The Environmental and Economic Benefits of Wind Energy Development in Canada. (Ottawa: Environment Canada, 1996) p. 4.

[7]
Paul Gipe, Wind Energy Comes of Age (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995), p. 464-465.

[8]
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Nuclear Sector Focus: A Summary of Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Data (Ottawa: AECL, 1995), p. E-14.

[9]
Christopher Flavin and Nicholas Lenssen. Power Surge: Guide to the Upcoming Energy Revolution, (New York: W. W. Norton & Co, 1994) p. 125.

[10]
Natural Resources Canada, Background Report: Renewable Energy Policy Review (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1994). p. 83.

[11]
Independent Power Producers' Society of Ontario (IPPSO), 1995 Independent Power Sourcebook (Toronto: IPPSO, 1994). p. 76.

[12]
Natural Resources Canada, Background Report: Renewable Energy Policy Review (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1994), p.74.

[13]
Natural Resources Canada, Policy Aspects of Renewable Energy in the OECD, (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1996), p.8.

[14]
Natural Resources Canada, Background Report: Renewable Energy Policy Review (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1994), p.85.

[15]
Duncan Noble and Robert Swartman, Eds., Canadian Renewable Energy Guide ( Ontario: General Store Publishing House, 1995), p.152.

[16]
ibid., p.149.

[17]
Natural Resources Canada, Policy Aspects of Renewable Energy in the OECD, (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1996), p.7, 68.

[18]
18 Techtrol Ltd, Bio-Energy: A Major Industrial Opportunity, (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1991), p.8.

[19]
Natural Resources Canada, Background Report: Renewable Energy Policy Review (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1994), p.76.

[20]
Jennifer Carless; Renewable Energy: A Concise Guide to Green Alternatives (New York: Walker and Co., Inc, 1993), p. 105.

[21]
Natural Resources Canada, Background Report: Renewable Energy Policy Review (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1994), p.76.

[22]
McCallum et al., Case studies of Small Commercial Biomass Combustion Systems in PEI (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1995), p. 39.

[23]
Michael Brower; Cool Energy: Renewable Solutions to Environmental Problems, Rev. Ed. (Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 1993), p.124

[24]
Natural Resources Canada, Background Report: Renewable Energy Policy Review (Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1994), p.87.

[25]
Interviews with Jim Richard and Rob Murray of the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy.

[26]
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Nuclear Sector Focus: A Summary of Energy Electricity and Nuclear Data (Ottawa: AECL, 1995), p. F-17

[27]
Ministère des Ressources Naturelles, Energy Efficiency in Québec: Appraisal of the Theoretical Potential. (Québec: Gouvernement du Québec, 1992), p.17

[28]
Daniel Stoffman, The Globe and Mail Report on Business Magazine. (Toronto: The Globe and Mail, October, 1993), p.77-89

[29]
Ontario Energy/ Environment Caucus, Power to Change - restructuring the electricity sector in Ontario. (Uxbridge, Ontario: the Ontario Environment Network, 1996) p.3 Note: This report was endorsed by 21 environmental organizations across Canada.

[30]
Relative to the frozen efficiency forecast, all with measures costing less than five cents per kilowatt-hour.

[31]
Independent Power Producers of Ontario, IPPSO FACTO (Toronto: IPPSO, April, 1993), p.16.

RECOMMENDED READING

Cool Energy: Renewable Solutions to Environmental Problems, rev.ed., by Michael Brower. Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 1993

Power Surge: Guide to the Upcoming Energy Revolution, by Christopher Flavin and
Nicholas Lenssen. New York: W. W. Norton & Co, 1994

Background Report: Renewable Energy Policy Review, by Natural Resources Canada.
Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 1994.

Canadian Renewable Energy Guide, by Duncan Noble and Robert Swartman.
Ontario: General Publishing House, 1995.

Produced by the Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout /
Campagne contre l'expansion du nucléaire
cnp@web.net